Remedial Poker 101
Since the folks at Part Time Poker have graciously decided to allow me to scribble down a few of my thoughts and experiences with the time-honored game of poker, I felt I should introduce myself, as well as what I am attempting.
First off, let me tell you what I’m not. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a professional poker player. Nor am I some kind of poker-guru who can give you sure-fire methods that will allow you to always win at the tables. I’m pretty much just your basic journalist who happens to be a poker enthusiast. I’ve loved the turn of a friendly card since I was young enough to have my Grampa fleece me for my allowance on a regular basis. There have been times that I’ve played to eat, and times I’ve sat at the tables just to have fun. More importantly, there have been many times I’ve sat at tables just to be around people and study both them and their play.
This column is not meant to be for the beginner who is so raw, they don’t know the big and little blind theories and what the button means, how much the chips are worth, what high/low games are, and that type of thing. There are books and magazines galore out there, and buying them is the same as playing cards. “Ya lays ya money down and ya takes ya chances.” Some books are very sound with great logic. Others wouldn’t even make reasonably good toilet paper. And to avoid getting anybody in trouble, I ain’t gonna offer an opinion. ANY beginner’s book will tell you the basic rules and strategies.
I’m now 50 years old, and funny enough, I seem to keep getting dumber every year. I think I was about the smartest I’ve ever been sometime around the age of 16. Strange how that works ain’t it. Anyway, I’ve been around long enough to learn a thing or two, but most importantly to learn what all I don’t know. For example, just how in the heck can Doyle Brunson win not one but two World Poker Championships on a Ten-Deuce off suit when I can’t even win a darn pot with wired Aces? I dunno, but he sure as shootin’ pulled it off.
No, I’m going to be writing for those of us who know how to play the various games, and try to use my experiences, in hind-sight of course, in order to explain some of the finer points without getting’ so darn technical you gotta have a calculator and dictionary around just to figure out what’s goin’ on.
As with anything else I write, I will be taking full responsibility for whatever I say. Neither Part Time Poker, nor any of their personnel should be considered liable in any way for my words. They may not even agree with me at all, they are just giving me the opportunity to hopefully write a humorous, interesting and informative column that just may be of some assistance to our readers.
Another thing I don’t intend this to be, is some type of step-by-step “How to play Poker” series. Though I will obviously touch on various issues like complexion, bluffs, tells, setting up false tells, pot-odds versus implied-pot-odds, collusive calling structure, action, position, good cards, bad cards, good play bad play, stupidity, luck and genius, and a few seriously dastardly tricks, I wouldn’t have a clue on how to write an instructional book. So if you happen to try any of the stuff that worked for me, then I will happily take 10% of your winnings while taking full-credit for teaching you how to get that WSOP bracelet. However, if you try my stuff and lose your house, your car, your dog and/or your significant other don’t blame me, you shouldn’t a been playin’ poker in the first place!
The one thing you can count on though, is that no matter what I write, no matter what advice I give or don’t give, I will always come straight from the heart because I believe in the art form that is called “Poker.” I might make you laugh, I might make you mad, hell, I might even make you damn mad snork out a “comped” order of Nacho’s with guacamole sauce, but I won’t lie about the game. I do get around a bit though; so if we ever play in a game, together don’t think for a second that I won’t do anything and everything in my power short of cheating to get your hard-earned Benjamin’s.
In closing of this introduction I will also add that I welcome all replies, whether they be positive, negative, nice or downright mean. This is America and you have the right to think and say anything you want. I believe in that right wholeheartedly and if I receive a message from any reader no matter how they respond to what I’ve written, I always write back as soon as I can. This all being said, I will offer two promises. One, is that I ain’t gonna lie about what I say, and two, I will always be willing to write back to anyone for whatever reason you may feel the need to write me about.
“It Could Be Just Me” by Vincent “Vinny” Setala
October 4, 2006
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