The $500 Dollar Poker Challenge: Part 2

“Nobody is always a winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a liar or doesn’t play poker.”—Amarillo Slim Preston
 
In my last article, “The $500 Poker Challenge, Part One,” I explained the terms of the Challenge: Start with $500 and build a poker bankroll over a period of one year into a substantial bankroll. You may only play live games in casinos and poker rooms; no online or home games.
 
In addition, I’ve chosen to play the poker games spread in the WSOP $50,000 championship tournament: limit hold’em, Omaha/8, razz, 7-card stud, 7-stud/8, no-limit hold’em, pot-limit Omaha, 2-7 triple draw lowball, in both tournaments and cash games. My goal is to improve in all these games and, of course, be able to play the championship as soon as possible.
 
Today’s article is about the tools and poker professionals/ coaches whose advice I will be using during the challenge.
 
Tools: Keeping a detailed record of results is critical. My favorite poker journal is authored by one of the best poker coaches in the industry, Al Spath. The “Al Spath Poker Journal” can be acquired at www.alspath.com. Take a look at the various entries to be logged.
 
The following book list is part of the reading toolbox I carry with me to keep my mind and game focused.
 
There are many excellent books from classics such as Doyle Brunson’s “SuperSystem” (2 volumes) and David Sklansky’s “Seven-Card Stud for the Advanced Player” to more recent works such as Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie’s “Harrington on Cash Games” (2 volumes) or Ed Miller’s “Professional No-Limit Hold’em.” The beginner’s book by Gary Carson, “The Complete Book of Hold’em Poker,” features an excellent analysis of made hands versus drawing-hands poker theory.
 
More advanced works include Bob Ciaffone & Jim Brier’s “Middle-Limit Hold’em Poker,” Daniel Negreanu’s “Power Hold’em Strategy,” all the works of Chris Ferguson, and Ray Zee’s “High-Low-Split for Advanced Players”; other books will be mentioned along the way.
 
Poker Coaches (and their various specialties): I have the unique opportunity and honor to be able to ask advice from a variety of poker coaches and recognized cash-game and tournament experts including:
 
Robert “Chipburner” Turner, CEO/World Team Poker, for evaluating the players at the table in live tournament play generally and in Omaha/8 in particular.
 
Phyllis Caro, Director of Poker Operations at Hollywood Park Casino and current nominee for the Woman’s Poker Hall of Fame, for technical and strategic insights on playing live-action cash and tournament poker.
 
Danny Robison, partner of the late Chip Reese, recognized as one of the best 7-card stud professionals, for lessons based upon 40 years’ experience at all levels of 7-card stud.
 
Finally, just as professional athletes have a coach in their corner, so Al Spath, former Dean of Poker School Online, www.pokerinstructors.com, one of the best-grounded, sharpest, and most supportive instructors in the industry, will be giving general game advice.
 
As the $500 Poker Challenge Year unfolds, tips will also be provided by other poker pros, such as Russ Fox, who gave excellent advice at the WSOP on starting bankroll and which games to play.
 
Last time I asked for readers’ advice on monitoring this challenge. Rabbi Michael Sommer, of Chicago, had this to say: “Since you are running the challenge, it wouldn’t make journalistic sense for you to lie about any progress you make ... It is your challenge. As followers of your writing, we will just have to trust you can count that high at the end of every session.” Me too!
 
I invite you to take the $500 Poker Challenge with me and report your results!
 
John “The Scientist” Hayes hosts Ask the Scientist, a live call-in poker instruction show on www.hpstv.tv at the Hollywood Poker School in Hollywood Park Casino. Contact scientist@hpstv.tv.