Textbook play

Let us begin your transformation from poker zero to poker hero by looking at a classic hand played by top pros at the 2006 WSOP (Welsh Series of Poker), which was held at Daffyd's Den Casino in Aberystwyth. As the hand develops and the folds unfold, pay particular attention to the ruffle of the under-the-stone player.

As we join the action, the players stack up like this. Blinds are £3.00 and £1.50 (plus VAT).

SB	Danny Le Scorpio	£18.00
BB	Cho-Sen Wun	£32.00
Player 1	Gareth 'The Welshman' Jones	£24.50
Player 2	Gareth 'The Scotsman' McKenzie	£17.66
Player 3	Lisa Luisemall	£88.00 (VAT exempt)
Player 4	TJ Teejay	£3.27, plus some French centimes

It's a big stakes game, and no mistake. The blinds have just been raised, as the lights aren't working. TJ was chip leader barely an hour ago, but a run of bad cards, bad play and bad beer have left him trailing. While standard analysis would say only Luisemall has the M required to dominate the table, note the O/Y ratio between the two Gareths.

Acting first and jointly, their call is essential to the play. It is their moves that will make the hand truly interesting. The Welshman and the Scotsman together can set the night on fire with a combined double-raise, or perhaps play it cool with a straight call then start turning the screws after the flop on any strength. Play like this is what makes for fascinating, rewarding hands.

Sadly for us, they both fold. A bad move, for with her high M and short skirt, Lisa can make whatever play she likes. Sticking in five times the big blind, poor TJ is left with no option but to push all in for his last few centimes. Le Scorpio now makes an unusual move, crying out "haha, my Queen-five beats you all!" and shoving in all his chips. Wun rightly folds against such a mighty hand; beginners take note, as this is where play is so often won and lost.

Back round to Lisa, who can barely hide her disdain for such amateurs. With a flick of her hair, she scatters her remaining chips into the centre and turns over five-seven unsuited. TJ reveals pocket Aces. The flop comes Queen-Queen-four, and it's no surprise when Lisa catches a six on fourth and the eight on fifth to make the run.

A stunning hand from a quality tournament, and typical of the remaining day's play. TJ went on to steal Lisa's chips when she went to the bar during the fourth break and eventually came over the top to crush the table and take the baubles.

What lesson do you take away from this exhibition? That's left as an exercise to you. To tell you now, well, it just wouldn't be poker.