Matton’s financial straits – Money and conscience – Sylvester offers distractionNot long ago, Matton Header had begun composing a list. He wasn’t sure why, at first, and in fact, he wasn’t sure how to even do it. He hadn’t used pen and paper for a while, especially after his computer had[…]
Together
I’ve been playing poker a long time – too long. While life events took me off the path of guns and glory, greatness and bracelets, when I do stray outside my routine of being the unknown in games small and big all over, it’s mostly to return to the play[…]
I Love This Game, Ch. 2
Matton plays poker – Late Nite Tony complains – Harvey Bumpback explains Matton Header, round, pale, bespectacled – a kind of tenure track albino pumpkin professor – was thinking. Pondering. Wondering. Pausing. Reflecting. Worrying. Calculating. Hesitating. In other words he was doing what poker players call tanking. Thinking.Deep in the tank.[…]
I Love This Game, Ch. 1
Braunfar in the garden – the family – a photograph – a girl – desire “Smile, Braunfar!”Jaqueline dropped the sixty-four megapixel camera smartphone, the sly gift of an occupied husband, to her side. For her daughter’s wedding, then affianced Braunfar, still under scrutiny for signs of lingering independence or other dangers[…]
Much Revealed
Unfortunately, I am not a man of my word, but it doesn’t mean I’m not trying. Perhaps the secret was not to go so in depth, when really, few care besides me about what is behind the vision. “Keep it simple,” she had said fatefully; in this case, perhaps that[…]
Construction and its Discontents, Part II
In our last episode we focused on flop construction, but if you were reading closely you came away with, or had reinforced, one of the most profound aspects of no-limit strategy, one which can buoy your play across any street of action: Wagering and sizing choice have a direct correspondence[…]
Honeymoon with Gargamel
I recently returned from an Australia/New Zealand cruise, having played 1/3 NL (the only offering) eight out of ten nights on the ship. Poker on a cruise ship has many idiosyncrasies, but the incredibly soft games kept me coming back despite the hassle and lack of sleep. Poker only gets[…]
Ryan the Lion
As we know from being around poker players and the scene, the persona we see at the table is usually a trivial portion of our opponent’s full life, or occasionally, even a completely deceptive image. Professional poker player Ryan Schnabel, who can be seen in a tank top, tie, and[…]
Construction and its Discontents, Part I
In one sense, the day someone becomes my student is the day they should fire me. Why? Because I supply them with the question that ultimately answers all poker questions:What is a bet?Not just any bet, mind you – although we start with that – but a bet in poker.[…]