Maybe it is the graying of the hair or the exposure from writing a column
for Card Player Magazine, but for some strange reason this past World
Series of Poker it seemed like a lot of the new, younger players came to
me seeking advice. They asked my opinion about many things that have
to do with poker or the poker world. The questions of course differed,
but when I think back and try to examine them the realization was that
they could mostly be summed up with one general question, "How do
you survive and prosper in the poker world?"
Since I am no youngster and have been around quite a long time, I
thought I might be able to get away with giving some advice to the
many new, mostly young players that I referred to earlier. I don't
pretend to be an authority, but if I may, let me try my hand at
dispensing some words of wisdom.
First, let me say welcome to all the new people who are just entering
the poker world. It can be heaven or it can be hell. Here is a list of
some do's and don't's that I hope will help you in this endeavor in which
you have recently entered. The following list has taken years of pain
and pleasure to compile.
There is only one that is more important than all the rest and that is the
first one that I learned many years ago. A couple of years after I
started playing poker, I asked the owner of the card club where I was
playing, for a job dealing. Even though I was a recent college graduate
and had a good job, I was intrigued by poker and wanted to be a part
of it. Soon after becoming a dealer, I noticed that all my heroes, the
winning players, always seemed to eventually get busted. I asked my
boss, "What's the secret?"
His answer has stayed with me all these years and "I think" is still the
secret. He said, "First and foremost, always have something going for
yourself to make money besides playing poker." This I call the " Poker
Golden Rule".
I have listed other do's and don’t's for you. They are listed randomly
and have nothing to do with which ones are more or less important.
The list reads:
• Rid yourself of anger. It is counterproductive in poker.
• Beware of free food.
• Don't bet sports.
• Practice self control--one day a week do not use profanity.
• Do not overvalue experience when it comes to surviving in the
poker world.
• Do not undervalue experience when it comes to surviving in the
poker world.
• Take vitamins.
• Read the Card Player Magazine.
• Leave a tip for the maid in your hotel room.
• Overlook minor annoyances.
• Go to Reno to play poker at least once a year.
• Have some friends who know nothing at all about poker.
• Beware of free food.
• Do not have a list of more than three people to which you will loan
money.
• Do not have a list of more than three people to which you will
borrow money.
• When you're playing poker, "pay attention".
• Never rush to play in a poker game--walk to the table slowly.
• Develop a hobby such as golf.
• Wear sunscreen when you play golf.
• Savor being called "Kid". Someday you'll wake up and some "Kid"
will be calling you "Sir."
• Be brave at the table. Speak up when the floorman is trying to
make a decision and asks what happened. Tell him what you saw.
• If you smoke, quit
• Beware of free food.
• When someone says "Nice hand kid," always say "thank you."
• Learn to control your breathing. You will be a lot more relaxed and
live longer.
I hope this list will be of some value to some of you. But, if you get
nothing else from reading this but to understand the importance of the
"Poker Golden Rule," you will be way ahead of most people wanting to
survive and prosper in the poker world.
For what it's worth ...
for Card Player Magazine, but for some strange reason this past World
Series of Poker it seemed like a lot of the new, younger players came to
me seeking advice. They asked my opinion about many things that have
to do with poker or the poker world. The questions of course differed,
but when I think back and try to examine them the realization was that
they could mostly be summed up with one general question, "How do
you survive and prosper in the poker world?"
Since I am no youngster and have been around quite a long time, I
thought I might be able to get away with giving some advice to the
many new, mostly young players that I referred to earlier. I don't
pretend to be an authority, but if I may, let me try my hand at
dispensing some words of wisdom.
First, let me say welcome to all the new people who are just entering
the poker world. It can be heaven or it can be hell. Here is a list of
some do's and don't's that I hope will help you in this endeavor in which
you have recently entered. The following list has taken years of pain
and pleasure to compile.
There is only one that is more important than all the rest and that is the
first one that I learned many years ago. A couple of years after I
started playing poker, I asked the owner of the card club where I was
playing, for a job dealing. Even though I was a recent college graduate
and had a good job, I was intrigued by poker and wanted to be a part
of it. Soon after becoming a dealer, I noticed that all my heroes, the
winning players, always seemed to eventually get busted. I asked my
boss, "What's the secret?"
His answer has stayed with me all these years and "I think" is still the
secret. He said, "First and foremost, always have something going for
yourself to make money besides playing poker." This I call the " Poker
Golden Rule".
I have listed other do's and don’t's for you. They are listed randomly
and have nothing to do with which ones are more or less important.
The list reads:
• Rid yourself of anger. It is counterproductive in poker.
• Beware of free food.
• Don't bet sports.
• Practice self control--one day a week do not use profanity.
• Do not overvalue experience when it comes to surviving in the
poker world.
• Do not undervalue experience when it comes to surviving in the
poker world.
• Take vitamins.
• Read the Card Player Magazine.
• Leave a tip for the maid in your hotel room.
• Overlook minor annoyances.
• Go to Reno to play poker at least once a year.
• Have some friends who know nothing at all about poker.
• Beware of free food.
• Do not have a list of more than three people to which you will loan
money.
• Do not have a list of more than three people to which you will
borrow money.
• When you're playing poker, "pay attention".
• Never rush to play in a poker game--walk to the table slowly.
• Develop a hobby such as golf.
• Wear sunscreen when you play golf.
• Savor being called "Kid". Someday you'll wake up and some "Kid"
will be calling you "Sir."
• Be brave at the table. Speak up when the floorman is trying to
make a decision and asks what happened. Tell him what you saw.
• If you smoke, quit
• Beware of free food.
• When someone says "Nice hand kid," always say "thank you."
• Learn to control your breathing. You will be a lot more relaxed and
live longer.
I hope this list will be of some value to some of you. But, if you get
nothing else from reading this but to understand the importance of the
"Poker Golden Rule," you will be way ahead of most people wanting to
survive and prosper in the poker world.
For what it's worth ...
The Golden Rule and More
By Vince Burgio
By Vince Burgio
