Spring Break

A few days ago I read the Korean Times, which is a major newspaper. In the culture section, there was an article called "American People," and it talked about the "Binion's Horseshoe World Poker Tournament" (the World Series of Poker).

The people of my country have a conservative, exclusive viewpoint on certain issues, and poker has had a bad reputation. But it was amazing and interesting to see that the article had in its own way positively portrayed poker, and this kind of interest from such a major journal could change the thinking of the Korean people.

The article talked interestingly about how people with Ph.D.s, the highest level of academic learning, and people of various professions play poker seriously and for enjoyment. They read poker books and study mathematics to improve their games. They also become familiar with other players' styles and personalities. The article positively portrayed the poker business by talking about the increase in the number of younger poker players and the new kinds of computer software that have increased the level of expertise in poker.

The article also profiled the experience and education of Chris Ferguson and T.J. Cloutier, who were the finalists at the 2000 WSOP. The article extensively covered Ferguson, who was the victor. As it talked about his education and occupation, it emphasized that although he has a P.h.D, he studies poker with a serious attitude and considers it to be more than just a game. But the Korean newspaper did not know that I, a Korean woman, had beaten World Champion Chris Ferguson and won a major tournament last year at Hollywood Park Casino. That was quite disappointing (laughter).

Anyhow, I was truly glad to see that poker was being introduced to my country, Korea, in a sincere manner. Korea has a negative perspective of the gaming industry, but that's not reflected in the daily lives of regular people. Although the card shapes and the way of playing are different, card games occupy a strong position in the culture. They are so enjoyed that whenever three people gather, someone usually asks that they play, whether they are male or female. Most of the people enjoy card games and the young people are expected to know how to play poker somewhat.

My own parents enjoyed card games, and my mother prepared a private room for the purpose of playing them. She played cards almost every day during the later years of her life. My mother, who had surgery for cancer when she was in her early 40s, was very weak and often laid in pain. However, when family or friends came over to the house, she always asked to play cards, and got up and played as if she was never in pain. She loved playing cards so much that when she passed away, my father put a deck of cards in her coffin so that she could enjoy playing cards in heaven, as well.

I'm sure that you get the point, that my passion for poker was indeed not a coincidence! I didn't realize it, but the traits of my parents began to reveal themselves in me. I truly miss my parents – and my mother always won!

Time, as if it had wings, has cut the freshness of the spring and flown to the doors of summer that cover the entire earth with heat. My friends, whatever the object of your passion, love it and enjoy it intensely, like the heat of summer!

Sincerely reflect upon your financial, mental, and physical conditions in order to select the best games in the various poker tournaments that will be held this summer. Please take care, and good luck!