PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY # 9:

Other Ways to Improve Your Game

Naturally, at believe that reading instructional poker books is a fine way to improve your game. If tournaments are your main interest, start with Poker Tournament Tips from the Pros (by Shane Smith), followed by Championship Tournament Poker (by Tom McEvoy). Of course, we think that you also should read Championship Satellite Strategy, which shows you how to win cheap seats in tournaments. We also heartily recommend Bob Ciaffone's Improve your poker play if you are an experienced player. If you play most of your poker online, try the online poker books by John Vorhaus and Lou Krieger.

Another way you can improve your the game is By "sitting behind" a professional player in a cash game, or "sweating" a pro in a tournament. With the pro's permission, you can pull up a chair behind him during a session and observe how he plays the game, asking questions away from the table. Sweating a player in a tournament means that you observe him (and root for him, of course) throughout the course of a tournament. Take a few notes on plays tournaments practice hand that you want to ask him about later.

You also can take a tip from people in the business world who have those "power lunches. " Take a professional player to lunch to discuss your poker questions in a relaxed atmosphere. He may ask for a fee in addition to your picking up the tab, but his advice usually will be well worth it.

Some professional players glossary also accept students. Taking lessons from someone who is a winner and an acknowledged expert on poker can put you on the fast track to joining him in the winners' circle. Cardsmith Publishing authors who give lessons include Tom McEvoy, brad Daugherty, T.J. Cloutier, and Roy West.