My elder sister, Janet, has teased me for a long time about my academic approach to learning. Pretty much from the time I could read, if I decided I wanted to master a new skill, I’d run out and buy the book, read and absorb as much information as I possibly could about the topic. Only when I felt comfortable that I could put the *aforementioned* skill into practice would I head out into the wide world and apply the information I had soaked up. Did not matter what the skill was. Sailing, downhill skiing, swimming, I’d buy the book… and the most recent new trick, Texas Hold ‘Em Poker. Thanks Phil Helmuth!
Perhaps this *learning mechanism* stems from the embarrassment I think I would feel to attempt something about which I am totally ignorant. They say a little knowledge is dangerous, but to me, zero knowledge might as well be suicide. I guess my attitude is that if I can at least *talk the talk*… perhaps I can then *walk the walk*? And, speaking of *talk the talk*, Poker has a fine lexicon that I am gradually mastering... stealing blinds, short stack, pocket nines, bluff, all-in, river card, heads up, buy-in, limp, play tight (or loose), off-suit, overcard...
I learned the basics of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker watching a friend play in the casino and online over Thanksgiving. Since then I have read a book on the basic strategy of the game, watched a few Tivo’ed episodes of the World Series of Poker, downloaded online playing software, fronted some cash and to date have played two online tournaments.. and placed second both times, earning back ~5x my buy-in. I've even covered the cost of the book. Pretty nice, huh?
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