Issue 152

Poker face off

12th February 2007

Poker is a card game that has always come with a certain glamour surrounding it. If you've seen the latest James Bond movie, Casino Royale, I think you'll have a vague understanding about what I mean. A group of seemingly important people clustered around a green table sipping cocktails and playing for ridiculous amounts of money. Well yes, perhaps in fictional James Bond land, but in reality it is a game that needs your full attention and a certain amount of luck.

Having met up with Swansea University's Poker Society, which has roughly 90 members, we got stuck in to learning just how to play this complicated game. President Chan Myea Win Ko's advice is to practice, lots! He said that, "the worst thing about Poker is trying to get your head around all of the terms that come with the game, once you've done that though you can really knuckle down and start to play seriously."

The Poker Society tries to meet up about once a fortnight on campus, to play some tournament games. A tournament game is where a set amount of money is placed into a pool fund, and then the players are given chips. This is probably a much better way to play as it means that you can't spend more than your chips are worth, plus money games tend to get more aggressive.

The society usually sets entry into tournaments at around £5. By playing with chips it also stops you from getting too carried away!

Some think that Poker is a game that is anti-social and can lead to gambling addiction, yet Poker is actually a game that is very social and is a great way to spend an evening with friends. Grab a take away, a couple of drinks and sit down for an evening's entertainment, other than watching the television, or going out to town. Online Poker is also another way to play; this could well be seen as a way of being anti-social, but, according to Chan Myea Win Ko who regularly plays, "I will often play, but at the same time chat to people on MSN and do other chores. He said, "I certainly won't be glued to the screen."

Obviously the most important thing is to be sensible, don't make stupid bets, or take risks when the odds are against you." One of the aspects of Poker that is often talked about are 'tells'. These are supposedly signs that an opposing player will give off, so that you can tell that if they have a good hand or that they may be bluffing. These can be anything and according to Chan Myea Win Ko, "they don't necessarily have to be body language.

"Someone may talk less when they have a good hand or talk more, there really is no end to things that people will do." He also added that,"you have to have watched someone play a few times, before you start to pick up their style of play." All great tips for beginners! The society itself is always open to new players, whether you're a seasoned pro, or a complete beginner like myself. They have their own inter-mural football team and have been known to visit local casinos, although that's not recommended for novices.

If you would like more information about the society or would like to go along to there next meeting, then please e-mail them at: uwspokerschool@hotmail.co.uk

Dawn Lewis