Practice Poker at Social Club

Andrea W. of Ft. Worth, TX writes, 'Dear Geno, you make it sound so easy to play poker in a casino setting. Maybe it's just me but when I get into a casino and see those players studying their cards and pushing out those chips, i just get intimidated. It's a lot easier for me to just hang out at a slot machine. What can I do to get over this problem? I do love casinos but I want to play at games that make me feel relaxed.'

.Believe me, Andrea is not alone in her fears. A lot of people, including my brother, feel the same way.

Here is the truth: you don't have to learn to play poker in a casino. Every city in the United States has social clubs where poker is one of the perks. When I lived in Brownsville, PA., for example, editing a newspaper, there were several clubs where poker was played on a regular basis. The Elks Club had a good game that was spread three times a week. The local fire hall held cash games as well as tournaments. And being a member of the American Legion, i could always drop in at the local post to play twice a week.

Andrea can also practice at home. I have spent many hours practicing my game in the privacy of my home, sometimes alone, at other times with friends. You can play for pennies, quarters, chips or matchsticks. It doesn't matter as long as you have a method of keeping score.

Before casino gambling became widespread in Arizona, there was plenty of action to be found at the American Legion, VFW Posts, Elks Club and other social clubs. The operators of the games got around the laws that made it illegal to cut pots. I used to play against several members of the Phoenix Police Department who happened to be veterans and who were members of Post 1 at 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street. That game was run by Carl Collins, a trouble-shooter for Salt River project. Carl was a veteran and a no-nonsense guy who operated a good game that was fair to everybody who played in it.

For Andrea's benefit, I can assure you that poker players are full of bluff. There is no reason to feel intimidated when you sit down at a table and exchange your money for chips. Most players will treat you with courtesy and will help you learn the game. They welcome new players. Of course, some of it is self-serving. They realize a new player may be more beatable than the regulars and encourage such players to become regulars at the game.

Personally, I get bored when I play against the same players all the time. I remember the night Phoenix hosted a group of veterans who came to town to promote a veterans cemetery. That evening, our post was crowded by veterans from many parts of the state as well as New Mexico. The game lasted long into the evening and was still going strong at 2 a.m. when I cashed in my chips.

Poker is like golf. It takes a lifetime to make a good player. Once you get into the swing of things, you will appreciate the nuances of the game. That is when you may become the intimidator that you originally feared. Give it a try and let me know what happens.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).