”
Poker is an easy game to learn, but a difficult game to
master,
”
said Brad Daugherty, a World Series of Poker Champion who first
encountered the game as a high school senior in Idaho.
Practice and observation are two of the main keys to successful
play, said Daugherty, but becoming a champion takes serious
work
“Poker is an easy game to learn, but a difficult game to master,” said Brad Daugherty, a World Series of Poker Champion who first encountered the game as a high school senior in Idaho.
Practice and observation are two of the main keys to successful play, said Daugherty, but becoming a champion takes serious work.
He should know. After playing poker casually throughout his early 20s, he heard of the World Series of Poker and just had to try.
With average winning pots of $300,000 in the 1970s, it seemed too tempting, but nobody was playing Texas Hold ‘Em in Idaho at the time, so Daugherty picked up and moved to Reno, Nev., where he tirelessly studied the game.
By the 1980s, he was touring the poker circuit professionally, and in 1991 he hit the big time himself, snagging the first $1 million prize given at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
Daugherty has since authored two books and designed the educational programs for Empire PokerSchool.com, a training ground for players on Empire Poker.com. His tip for beginners? Show a little restraint.
“They play too many hands,” said Daugherty. “That’s the number one mistake. It’s no fun to sit on the side and watch. The more seasoned pros play fewer hands, but when they do get in, they’re more aggressive. As you get more of a feel for your opponents it’s OK to play more hands, but newer people bet too much, and it’s easy to go broke.”
Daily practice, especially participating in one-table satellite games – one-table mini-tournaments in essence – is one of the most essential elements to the development of good game-play, said Daugherty, but he cautioned against playing for real money before players feel confident in their skill level.
“When you are ready, the Internet is a great place to start,” said Daugherty. “You’re risking a small amount for a chance at something much bigger. Empire poker gives away seats at the World Series of Poker as the top prize for some of its tournaments, and it’s been really good for some of the new players. Chris Moneymaker won $2.5 million at the WSOP in 2003 from a $39 investment in an online tournament.”
One thing online players do have to practice is their emotional control.
Even when playing in front of the computer, players should practice their poker face, and remember to play responsibly, said Daugherty.
“When you do play for money, never jeopardize anything monetary that you need for your home or anything like that,” said Daugherty. “Poker is supposed to be fun, and it can’t be fun if you’re playing your house payment. It puts added pressure on you, which makes it makes it harder to play.”
