Poker News

George Epstein

Reading Nick Christenson’s review of the new DVD, Texas Hold’em: The Winning Strategy with Mike Caro (Poker Player, June 13, 2005), caused me to contemplate that question. Since I have been teaching poker classes at a senior citizens center for three semesters, I now have a basis for addressing that question. By the way, I certainly don’t agree with Christenson that Caro’s new DVD should “be considered by beginners only.” Categorically, I would opine that anything Mike Caro (The Mad Genius of Poker) writes or says - in any media - is undoubtedly of value to anyone who plays poker and wants to be a winner, whether a new player or one with years of experience.

Christenson seems to suggest that reading books is the best way to learn to play poker. There is no question that books by experts can help you to be more successful. Any form of education is desirable. Having written my own poker book and, more recently, a booklet presenting an algorithm for hold’em, I realize that books offer a powerful avenue to learning; after all, that’s one of the ways we learned in school.

But more important is contact with the teacher in the classroom environment that a video or book cannot provide. Recently I lectured to a group of yacht club members; they are preparing for a tournament to benefit a charitable foundation. In this and all my lectures, I encourage the “students” to ask questions and make appropriate comments. That sort of give-and-take is missing when you read a book or watch a video. When one student asks a question, the others in the class benefit from hearing the answer; they too learn from that discussion.

By Way of Example. . . On one occasion, when I discussed the nut flush in hold’em, Allen B., a bright “student” in one of my classes, exclaimed: “That’s an invincible hand!” That led me to respond: “No, Allen, not necessarily. It is the best possible flush, but if there is a pair on the board, an opponent could have a full house or even quads.” I went on to illustrate this situation. That sort of interaction is not possible when relying on books or videos.

Teaching Others to Be Winners. While employed as an engineer in the aerospace industry, I have been teaching engineering courses at UCLA for about 50 years. (I still do.) Now I find myself teaching poker classes at a local senior citizens center. The one class has grown to two - to accommodate both beginners and experienced players; and next fall we will add a Poker Lab. My students have learned both from my lectures and by reading my books - and also class discussions about selected items in Poker Player. Further, as part of each class, we play for chips (no money); and the final class session includes our own tournament (with prizes). Then the class is treated to a special tournament hosted by the Hustler Casino. For many of the students, it’s the first time they enter a local casino. I call that “the total learning experience.”

After learning my hold’em algorithm, Phillipe A., one of my “students,” went on to win or make the final table in several tournaments in local casinos and in Las Vegas. As his teacher, I am proud of his accomplishment. Could he have learned this skill by reading the hold’em algorithm booklet? Or by viewing a video? Sure, they do help; but getting back to our original question, I believe the classroom environment - with the opportunity for discussion and actual playing of hands - is the most effective way to learn to be a winner.

. . . So readers, what’s YOUR opinion?

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