The Improving Performance series focuses on limit Hold'em and is directed, for the most part, to intermediate players Players who know how to play but may well have collected a few bad habits along the way which prevent them from reaching a higher level of success. These bad habits, or leaks, are not the end of the world individually but when a player has several, their accumulated effect can really hold him back.

Flopping 4 to a flush with a pair on board Today I will venture down a new road. My previous articles have concentrated on starting hands. This will be the first in a series of articles that will address the question "What are my chances if I flop X-X-X while holding X-X-XX?" They will tend to answer the question should I proceed or should I fold.

All right, so poker's booming, and there's no sign of a slowdown, but how high is up? Are there limits on the World Series of Poker's potential for growth?

The question was put to new WSOP Director of Operations Gary Thompson, who seemed to roll it around in his mind, finally saying, in so many words, yeah probably, but we're not there yet..

One year at a time . . . please, he urges, suggesting that what Harrah's has is a work of art in continuing progress, because what is skillful marketing if it is not an art form?

21-year-old University of Texas student Jason Su wins first major poker tournament and becomes youngest WSOP winner in history.

I hit a wall, a figurative wall, that is. I'm a writer on a deadline, but my story's not coming together. At times like this, it doesn't pay to press. A little diversion might help. I'll call Hobby.

"Hi, Joe. What's up?" "Nothing. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to a hospital. Do you want to come?"

"What's wrong, Hobby?"

Spring has sprung! To me that means perfect weather and Mother's Day. I am compelled to recall fond memories about my terrific Mom, especially about her dealings with her free-spirited daughter, (me).

I have played poker since I was a child but my Mom didn't know a thing about that until I was in my forties. I was born and raised in the Deep South and my Mom was as Southern and Southern Baptist as you can get. Playing poker was gambling and gambling was sinful!

My mom, Mimi and I were very close and I could talk to her about almost anything. I choose not to burden her with my sins.

Imagine the following circumstances coming true: You started an online tournament just after getting home from work. A couple of hours later you are excitedly sitting at the final table with a big payday possibility. The one problem that you have is time, as your young daughter's dance recital is scheduled to begin in only a few minutes. You nervously check your watch between each hand, wishing the flow of play would get faster. Really, you never dreamed the tourney would last this long. You now sit and ponder two images within your mind ...

[See Also: World Series of Poker New Orleans Results]

Sonny Perry does his best Moneymaker impression - takes first place and $110,785 at New Orleans WSOPC event

The $3,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament ended early this afternoon when final table chip leader, Terry Fleischer of Las Vegas, lost most of his chips in two hands to the eventual winner, Francois Safieddine of Denver, Colorado. Francois doubled through Terry when he put Francois all-in and his pair of fives finished second. Suddenly, Francoir had twice as many chips. A few hands later an almost identical situation between the two and again, Francois doubled up. The overwhelming chip lead allowed Francois to play an aggressive game that made short work of the opponents.

[See Also: World Series of Poker New Orleans Results]

Jose Jimenez wins WSOPC no-limit hold'em tournament in record time - in just 85- minutes, he's $66,527 richer

The women watched the men, watched to see whether the break had come at last....the break would never come as long as fear could turn to wrath.
-- The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)